Price correction pushes cattle prices back a couple years but producers "happy on the day"

Northern Tablelands backgrounders and fatteners were dominant, but Queensland drew a lot of the cattle, said agent Ian McGoldrick, Kempsey Stock and Land, with backgrounders, bullock fatteners and feedlots all placing an order with commission buyers.

However, selection was careful given the tight margins currently dominating the trade.

Heavy bullocks were penalised the hardest, with processors dropping their grid prices by 50c/kg to 80c/kg in the week prior to sit in some cases below 600c/kg dressed weight.

The charity steer donated by the Sutherland family - who have raised more than $35,000 for cancer research in seven years - did well to make 370 cents a kilogram for 645kg or $2386.50.

Most bullocks of that size brought bids below 300c/kg with one enormous Red Holstein from Jason Winslow, Bowraville, weighing 955kg going to the processors for 245c/kg or $2339.

Bullocks more than 600kg averaged $1394 at 295.2 cents a kilogram; those weighing 500kg to 600kg made between 341.2 to 390.2c/kg

Feeders steers 400-500kg, about 140 head, attracted bids from 340-420c/kg reaching a top of 440.2c/kg.

Angus steers 431kg from Bumore Pty Ltd via Kendall, made 428.2c/kg or $1844.54.

Yearling steers 330-400kg,285 head, made 370-460c/kg reaching a top of 485.2c/kg.

Weaner steers 280-330kg, 315hd, brought 430-505c/kg peaking at 510c/kg.

Winner of the weaner steer section, R and G Kelsey, Missabotti, sold 18 Charolais weaners 283kg for 480.2c/kg or $1355 going to the Mackaway family via Walcha.

Runner-up weaner winners, a pen of Angus with Hereford steers with 408 and Yalgoo blood, from Amee and Damian Nixon, Carrai, made 497.6c/kg for 303kg or $1512.

"We were happy with the outcome considering the market," said Mrs Nixon.

The majority component of the yarding, steer calves 200-280kg - 475d - sold to a top of 580.2c/kg for 219.6kg or $1274.21 for Angus from Darren Rogers, Yarrahappini, going to a Walcha backgrounder.

Volume buyers the Mackaway family, Walcha, went home with 183 head (before continuing on to Tamworth for a week of country music) to average 336kg at 451c/kg or $1515.

"We've got a mile of feed, but we were careful not to buy steers with any pizzle," said Owen Mackaway.

"I've still got a lot of faith in the job. It's an up and down game."

Tall Gums at Hernani went home with 62 head.

David Scarrabelotti, Greenmountain Trading, bought four tooth steers for 250c/kg and commented on the market saying "It had to happen, but it was just a bit later than I predicted".

Buyer for the New England Tim Bayliss, Ray White Dorrigo, came away with straight Angus steers to average 278kg for 495c/kg or $1402.

"I was taught early that to survive in this industry you need to buy and sell on the same market," he said.

Brian Pinkstone, Clybucca, sold Angus steers 254kg for 515.2c/kg or $1295.

Charolais steers from Gavin Saul, Bellimbopinni, made 555.2c/kg for 215.8kg or $1198.31.

Shorthorn/Red Devon steer calves, 235kg made 525.2 or $1234.22 for Richard Sowter, Kempsey who recorded five rises in the Macleay River last year.

"We had to lighten our numbers, even with feeding silage," he said.

"There's no cattle in the lower river. Plenty have gone off on agistment and never returned. This year this sale had 1400 head; last year there were 2500."

Angus cross steers from Tony Styles, Barraganyatti, made 562.2c/kg for 245.2kg or $1379.

Wendy and Phillip Morton, Rolland Plains, sold 20 Angus steers to average 495c/kg for 258kg or $1281, well back on this time last year but above average for the times.

"We were pretty happy on the day," said Mr Morton who, with the family, has been breeding Angus for 35 years, including their own bulls through their stud Morton Angus.

The Kempsey steer and bullock sale was conducted by Kempsey Stock and Land.

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